Plug Jack Conductive Layer Grounding for Static and Water Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The plug jacks of cell phones, such as headphone and USB jacks, are prone to static interference and water ingress, leading to display issues and corrosion, with existing waterproof solutions compromising convenience and anti-static performance.

Innovation Solution

A plug jack design featuring a conductive layer on the inner wall of the slot, grounded and positioned away from the mouth, combined with a waterproof layer that exposes the conductive layer, effectively blocking static and water entry while allowing external component usage without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a waterproof cell phone shell is added to prevent water entry, then water resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to touch the phone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidtouch convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the waterproofing function from the entire cell phone shell and concentrates it only at the plug jack slot area. By applying waterproof coating only to the inner wall of the slot rather than the whole device, the solution prevents water ingress at the critical vulnerability point while leaving the rest of the phone shell touchable and operable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the slot structure. The inner wall of the slot receives waterproof coating treatment while the mouth area remains open and accessible. This local differentiation allows water resistance where needed without compromising overall usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a waterproof plug is added to the headphone jack or USB jack, then water resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and anti-static performance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidplug jack convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for physical waterproof plugs by extracting the waterproofing function and integrating it directly into the slot structure through coating. This eliminates the separate waterproof plug component that caused operational inconvenience and static accumulation issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof coating acts as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the internal circuit board. It provides water protection without requiring physical plugs, allowing direct connection while blocking water molecules through the coating barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a waterproof plug is added to prevent water entry, then water resistance is improved, but anti-static performance worsens in static tests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidanti-static performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the waterproof plug component that generated static electricity during insertion and removal. By integrating waterproofing into the slot coating itself, the solution eliminates the mechanical plug that caused static accumulation and discharge issues during static testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical waterproof plug system with a chemical/coating-based waterproof barrier. This substitution eliminates the mechanical insertion and removal actions that generated static electricity, thereby improving anti-static performance while maintaining water resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances anti-static performance and prevents water ingress, ensuring the terminal device functions normally under static conditions or exposure to water without reducing its service life.

Implementation Method 1

a conductive layer, wherein the conductive layer is arranged on an inner wall of the slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the conductive layer is electrically connected to the ground component of the mainboard of the terminal device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrounding: Earthing

Implementation Method 3

a waterproof layer is arranged on the inner wall of the slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10553984B2Plug jack of terminal device for external component and terminal device
Publication Date: 2020.02.04 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • US10553984B2 patent drawing
  • US10553984B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A plug jack of a terminal device for an external component and a terminal device are provided. The plug jack of a terminal device for an external component includes a slot provided with a mouth, and a conductive layer connected to a low level is arranged on an inner wall of the slot.